A man whose girlfriend blamed him for her death in a suicide note – after he subjected her to years of abuse – has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.
Ryan Wellings, 30, was found guilty of the offences but was cleared of Kiena Dawes’s manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court on Monday.
Shortly after she wrote the note on her phone, the 23-year-old hairdresser left it with a friend before she took her own life on 22 July 2022.
Prosecuting, Paul Greaney KC cited the suicide note at Wellings’ trial. In it, Ms Dawes said he had “killed [her]”.
“He ruined every bit of strength I had left,” the note said. “I had dreams. I had a future at one point. That was taken away from me.”
Image:
Ryan Wellings. Pic: Lancashire Police
Wellings denied the allegations against him and told jurors “I’m not a monster”.
On Thursday, he was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.
In sentencing, Judge Robert Altham said: “Kiena Dawes was according to the accounts of many witnesses, a popular, vivacious, friendly and kind young woman.
“You repeatedly assaulted and abused her. You would repeatedly hit her, in the messages she pleaded with you to stop hitting her.
“Knowing her previous attempts at suicide and her fragile mental health, you repeatedly told her she may as well kill herself.”
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Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.